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A Suzuribako of Hongmu and Wumu (Karaki Wood) browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Wood: Pre 1900: item # 1112267
Ruyi Studio San Francisco By Appointment San Francisco, CA 94131 415.990.3524 Guest Book $600.00 |
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| Circa 1880. A fine Japanese suzuribaku (writing box for storing brushes, inkstone and writing accessories) crafted from imported Chinese or “karaki” [‘foreign’] hardwoods. Scholar objects fashioned of precious woods imported from China were popular with Japanese followers of Chinese literati culture, and such objects are often characterized, in Japan as in China, by austere form and very subtle detailing so as not to distract from the beauty of the exotic hardwood. The box is elegantly shaped with rounded corners; the lid slightly domed and fitted to a narrow beaded lip, the whole raised on a pedestal base, the underside finished with a slightly scalloped edge. The box contains a small, undecorated blackish inkstone of similar austere style. The box seems to be fashioned from two hardwoods known in China as “hongmu” and “wumu” [lit. ‘redwood’ (rosewood) and ‘blackwood’ (ebony, in Japanese ‘kokutan’)], although by the Ching dynasty many fine hardwoods were imported into China from areas throughout Asia. Dimensions: box is approximately 5.7cm (h) x 25.5cm x 18.5cm (2-1/4” (h) x 10” x 7-1/4”). Weight: .847kg (1 lb. 14 ounces); the inkstone is approximately 2cm (h) x 13.5cm x 7.4cm (1” x 5-1/2” x 3-1/4”). For an elaborate suzuribako of gold-decorated black lacquer, see Trocadero item 598578 in this catalog. Copyright © 2007 by Robert McCaffrey for Ruyi Studio San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. | ||
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